The A.M. READ newsletter is a news tipsheet highlighting LGBTQ+ news and HRC updates. It covers a wide range of topics from breaking news to politics to LGBTQ+ pop culture to sports and everything in between.

THE LATEST TEA

TRUMP BUDGET ESCALATES ASSAULT ON LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES: President Trump's proposed 2025 budget released last Friday outlines sweeping cuts that would have devastating impacts on LGBTQ+ people, targeting over $2.6 billion in vital services and research. From gutting HIV/AIDS housing assistance and gender affirming healthcare research to defunding hate crime investigations and LGBTQ+ business support, the proposal marks a coordinated rollback of protections and resources. “This budget is more than cuts on a page—it’s a direct attack on LGBTQ+ lives,” said Matthew Rose, Senior Public Policy Advocate at HRC. “But we’ve fought back before, and we’ll do it again—we’re not going anywhere.”

GOVERNORS HOLD THE LINE FOR LGBTQ+ RIGHTS: From coast to coast, Governors are pushing back against anti-equality politicians’ attacks on the LGBTQ+ community–and racking up wins. On Friday, Maine Gov. Janet Mills secured a legal settlement from the USDA, which backed off its attempts to illegally withhold funds from the state for its policies around trans athletes in youth sports before going through all required procedures. "A few months ago, I stood in the White House and when confronted by the president of the United States, I told him I'd see him in court. Well, I did see him in court and we won," Mills said Friday. On the other side of the country, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed three anti-transgender bills passed by Republicans in the state legislature. In her statement vetoing a bill that would have restricted transgender Arizonans from updating their gender marker on their birth certificates, Hobbs said, “This bill will not lower costs, will not increase opportunity, and will not enhance security or freedom for Arizona. I encourage the Legislature to focus on real issues that matter and impact people’s everyday lives.” Mills and Hobbs show how critical Governors are at this moment to protecting our rights and freedoms. 

GINA ORTIZ JONES ADVANCES IN SAN ANTONIO: In the race for San Antonio mayor, HRC-endorsed Gina Ortiz Jones advanced to the runoff over the weekend. Ortiz Jones was the top vote-getter, earning more than 27% of the vote in a crowded field. On her historic candidacy, HRC President Kelley Robinson said, “Every one of us deserves leaders who value equality and will fight to ensure that we can live freely without fear of discrimination. Gina Ortiz Jones is that leader…Unlike those who use our community for selfish gain, Gina will roll up her sleeves and get to work tackling the problems that are impacting our neighbors, families and coworkers and standing up for the rights and safety of every San Antonian.” Read HRC PAC’s full endorsement and commitment to the race here.

SPOTLIGHT STORY

NEW YORK TIMES — TRUMP CUTS $800 MILLION IN LGBTQ+ HEALTH RESEARCH: According to analysis of federal data by Benjamin Mueller of the New York Times, the Trump Administration has scrapped $800 million in LGBTQ+ health research, fully cancelling or partially defunding at least 323 National Institutes of Health grants related to cancer, viruses and other diseases that disproportionately impact the LGBTQ+ community—including major cuts to HIV research. Mass terminations have sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates, researchers and states, motivating two separate lawsuits arguing that the Trump Administration failed to provide legal rationale for the cuts. These actions are part of a larger assault by the Administration on LGBTQ+ health and will have far-reaching consequences on LGBTQ+ people, women, people of color and the state of healthcare equality.